Bausch & Lomb Tessar Series 1c f/4.5

[Nesster]

Appears B&L manufactured the Tessar under license from Zeiss, pre World War 1.

Here is one I bought today:



I think it was originally meant for one of the Graflexes - perhaps one of the reflexes - 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 on the lens, it has the aperture but no shutter. f/4.5 is the max aperture, as you see there is no focal length engraved on the lens.


Samples? Mounted to the rear tube from a Hanimar 135mm (as it's too large to fit my usual M42 ext tube) and then onto a Honeywell Pentax bellows. Nice focus to infinity, and as close as you want.

Kitty napping at f/11, flash on:



100% crop of the above - click through to flickr to get the true 100% view. Not too bad for a 100 year old lens...



@ f/8



@ f/5.6


_________________
-Jussi
Camera photos Print Photographica
35mm: a bunch of Pentax, one Nikon, but the stuff I really like:Kodak Retina IIa, IIc, ,Minolta A-2, Fed-3 120: Pentax 645 Voigtlander: Rollfilmkamera 6x9 Skopar 1933, Bessa 6x9 Skopar '37, Bessa 66 6x6 Skopar '38, Bessa I 6x9 & 6x4.5 Vaskar '50s, Certo Super Sport Dolly 1) Xenar '37 2) Victar '38, Ricoh Diacord G, Yashica Mat 124G

[Sevo]

Must be later, certainly after 1930. IIRC they were slightly above three million in the early forties when they changed from a serial to a coded numbering scheme, which would place your lens in the late thirties. Probably originally on a Graflex, as RB's and Speeds accounted for the majority of quarter plate FP shutter cameras at the time.
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Sevo

[Nesster]

Hmmm, I found the following on large format forum:

[Sevo]

Hard to tell, if they went through several numbering schemes, or used a non-consecutive scheme. Which they probably did, as the LVM lists one of their lenses as at 1.8 million in 1914, and they cannot have made 1.2 million total (five times the Zeiss output - the worlds biggest lens maker of its time) in five years, nor 100,000 of that lens in the one to three year period between war entry and that dated 1918-20 lens you found. If patents went from dated to numbered in 1927, it cannot be much later than that, so the thirties numbering must be different.
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Sevo

[luisalegria]

Good guess on the Graflex origin, they were the common premium lens option on the Graflex. I have seen many of these on Graflexes.

All of these lenses were Tessar copies. Even later production (1940's-50's, I have one of 162mm) were marked Tessar.

I'm guessing yours is probably a #14 or #15, - depending on the period, 5" (127mm) and 6" (152mm), or 5 15/32 " (139mm) and 6 13/32 (163mm) made for covering the 3x4 Graflex. The FL definition or specification seems to have mutated over time.

It may be the #14's only were marked for 3x4. The difference was that some Graflex models (the Revolving back types) required longer back focus so were given a longer FL lens.
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I like Pentax DSLR's, Exaktas, M42 bodies of all kinds, strange and cheap Japanese lenses, and am dabbling in medium format/Speed Graphic work.

[Nesster]

thank you for that information... I've been collecting Graflex ads, now a lens, I'm thinking of that Johnny Cash song where he builds a car one piece at a time

Seriously, I'm dreaming I'll have a Graflex and the tanks to develop the film in, some day.
_________________
-Jussi
Camera photos Print Photographica
35mm: a bunch of Pentax, one Nikon, but the stuff I really like:Kodak Retina IIa, IIc, ,Minolta A-2, Fed-3 120: Pentax 645 Voigtlander: Rollfilmkamera 6x9 Skopar 1933, Bessa 6x9 Skopar '37, Bessa 66 6x6 Skopar '38, Bessa I 6x9 & 6x4.5 Vaskar '50s, Certo Super Sport Dolly 1) Xenar '37 2) Victar '38, Ricoh Diacord G, Yashica Mat 124G

[luisalegria]

They are not that hard to get. I have had a couple pass through my hands so to speak - I sold them on.

Two points -

- Its possible to use them with 120 film, depending. Some took 120 backs of the Graflex not Graflok type, though if you have a dremel tool it looks easy enough to get a common Graflok 120 back to fit. Some took 3 1/4x 4 1/4 roll film, and its not hard to shim 120 rolls into these.

- Though they are very ruggedly made, and most major parts are easy enough to fix, unlike the Speed Graphics, the focal plane shutter is fundamental to Graflexes, and this device is unlikely to be in working order. This is probably the biggest focal plane shutter around, and easy and simple enough to disassemble, but it is a complex restoration project.
_________________
I like Pentax DSLR's, Exaktas, M42 bodies of all kinds, strange and cheap Japanese lenses, and am dabbling in medium format/Speed Graphic work.

[Nesster]

Thanks for the info. I've seen some at camera shows... perhaps it's a Speed Graphic in my future instead

I've been playing with the lens some more, having great fun. For this shot I had the bellows cranked way out... and I did improve on the curves a bit.




Oh, I should show it mounted:




As the lens is uncoated, I see it loses contrast quickly, and though I have a bazillion (well, a dozen) shades or shade adapters, none happens to be the right size.
_________________
-Jussi
Camera photos Print Photographica
35mm: a bunch of Pentax, one Nikon, but the stuff I really like:Kodak Retina IIa, IIc, ,Minolta A-2, Fed-3 120: Pentax 645 Voigtlander: Rollfilmkamera 6x9 Skopar 1933, Bessa 6x9 Skopar '37, Bessa 66 6x6 Skopar '38, Bessa I 6x9 & 6x4.5 Vaskar '50s, Certo Super Sport Dolly 1) Xenar '37 2) Victar '38, Ricoh Diacord G, Yashica Mat 124G

[wilson.c]

I came across the same lens (just slightly younger 2890113), is it worth adapting for digital full frame? In my case EOS. I measured the threads and it's slightly over 44mm. I guess in the old days it would be in fractions of inches. What adapter would fit the lens back to a M50 extension tube?

I've got some larger paperweights around somewhere, need to find them if I can adapt them to digital.
_________________
Wilson

DSLR: Canon 5DMkII, 500D + Panasonic GF-1
SLR: Canon T90, Canon F1, Canon A1, Canon AE1 + Rolleiflex SL66 + Bronica ETRs
R'finder: Contax G1, G2 + Leica M6, M3 + Contax II

Lenses
M42: Angenieaux 90/1.8
Canon: FD 50/3.5 Macro, FD 80/1.8, FD 80-200L/4
Contax G: CZ Hologon 16/8, CZ Biogon 21/2.8, CZ Biogon 28/2.8, CZ Planar 45/2.0, CZ Sonnar 90/2.8
P-Six: CZJ Sonnar 180/2.8, CZJ Biometar 120/2.8
Contax: Distagon 28/2.8, Distagon 28/2, Planar 85/1.4, Makro-Planar 100/2.8
Others: CZ Sonnar 135/3.5 (Hasselblad V mount)
More little ones to be documented.

[luisalegria]

Whether its worth the trouble or not is a judgement call.

These things are quite sharp, but not better than any cheap and common purpose-made SLR lens. If you are looking for something special optically, you will probably be disappointed.

I just do it because I have fun doing it, if its fun for you, then go for it.

How to mount - a 44mm thread will probably fit nicely inside a T-mount with the inner ring removed. Use the T-mount setscrews to fix it in place. I made a "special" T-mount by drilling out the screw holes and tapping them for bigger screws, so I have more flexibility in fitting these types of lenses.
_________________
I like Pentax DSLR's, Exaktas, M42 bodies of all kinds, strange and cheap Japanese lenses, and am dabbling in medium format/Speed Graphic work.

[wilson.c]

Thanks, I'm trying to dig up my FD bellows unit and will try the T-mount trick Sounds like it will do the trick!
_________________
Wilson

DSLR: Canon 5DMkII, 500D + Panasonic GF-1
SLR: Canon T90, Canon F1, Canon A1, Canon AE1 + Rolleiflex SL66 + Bronica ETRs
R'finder: Contax G1, G2 + Leica M6, M3 + Contax II

Lenses
M42: Angenieaux 90/1.8
Canon: FD 50/3.5 Macro, FD 80/1.8, FD 80-200L/4
Contax G: CZ Hologon 16/8, CZ Biogon 21/2.8, CZ Biogon 28/2.8, CZ Planar 45/2.0, CZ Sonnar 90/2.8
P-Six: CZJ Sonnar 180/2.8, CZJ Biometar 120/2.8
Contax: Distagon 28/2.8, Distagon 28/2, Planar 85/1.4, Makro-Planar 100/2.8
Others: CZ Sonnar 135/3.5 (Hasselblad V mount)
More little ones to be documented.

[Attila]

Absolutely great Jussi!
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Panasonic G1 Jupiter-9, Jupiter-8, Fed-2, Zeiss Ikon 6x9, Iskra-2, Mometta-2, Pearl III, Franka Solida I
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[wilson.c]

Put mine together over the weekend. I managed to get the rear element onto a short M42 extension tube and shimmed it with some rubber tape I had lying around. It's just right and the M42 threads are keeping everyting in place securely. The helicoid I have it on is too short and I have ordered a longer one from Alex.

It doesn't look half bad once it's mounted like this. Will have some sample shots once I get the new helicoid.




_________________
Wilson

DSLR: Canon 5DMkII, 500D + Panasonic GF-1
SLR: Canon T90, Canon F1, Canon A1, Canon AE1 + Rolleiflex SL66 + Bronica ETRs
R'finder: Contax G1, G2 + Leica M6, M3 + Contax II

Lenses
M42: Angenieaux 90/1.8
Canon: FD 50/3.5 Macro, FD 80/1.8, FD 80-200L/4
Contax G: CZ Hologon 16/8, CZ Biogon 21/2.8, CZ Biogon 28/2.8, CZ Planar 45/2.0, CZ Sonnar 90/2.8
P-Six: CZJ Sonnar 180/2.8, CZJ Biometar 120/2.8
Contax: Distagon 28/2.8, Distagon 28/2, Planar 85/1.4, Makro-Planar 100/2.8
Others: CZ Sonnar 135/3.5 (Hasselblad V mount)
More little ones to be documented.

[wilson.c]

Here's the revised adaptation with the longer helicoid and some sample shots outside the house and my favorite orchid. I think there may be some flare in the outdoor shot, from the insides of the extension tubes. Considering the age of the lens it's still tack sharp I wonder if it will help if I sprayed flat black paint on the inside the extension tubes? or maybe glue some velvet like material on the insides? Maybe find the odd lens shade somewhere.


Please excuse the camera shake, it was an overcast day without sunshine.




_________________
Wilson

DSLR: Canon 5DMkII, 500D + Panasonic GF-1
SLR: Canon T90, Canon F1, Canon A1, Canon AE1 + Rolleiflex SL66 + Bronica ETRs
R'finder: Contax G1, G2 + Leica M6, M3 + Contax II

Lenses
M42: Angenieaux 90/1.8
Canon: FD 50/3.5 Macro, FD 80/1.8, FD 80-200L/4
Contax G: CZ Hologon 16/8, CZ Biogon 21/2.8, CZ Biogon 28/2.8, CZ Planar 45/2.0, CZ Sonnar 90/2.8
P-Six: CZJ Sonnar 180/2.8, CZJ Biometar 120/2.8
Contax: Distagon 28/2.8, Distagon 28/2, Planar 85/1.4, Makro-Planar 100/2.8
Others: CZ Sonnar 135/3.5 (Hasselblad V mount)
More little ones to be documented.

[Nesster]

Wilson, excellent results, and I'm beginning to learn the old Tessar signature look. With your camera, you use the real LCD to focus with?

I have to say, there's something way cool looking about your set up.
_________________
-Jussi
Camera photos Print Photographica
35mm: a bunch of Pentax, one Nikon, but the stuff I really like:Kodak Retina IIa, IIc, ,Minolta A-2, Fed-3 120: Pentax 645 Voigtlander: Rollfilmkamera 6x9 Skopar 1933, Bessa 6x9 Skopar '37, Bessa 66 6x6 Skopar '38, Bessa I 6x9 & 6x4.5 Vaskar '50s, Certo Super Sport Dolly 1) Xenar '37 2) Victar '38, Ricoh Diacord G, Yashica Mat 124G